Danielle snorted, and the mood in the room lightened up considerably.

I felt a hand settle onto my forehead and another go to my throat. Amber sounded relieved as she said, "His pulse is slowing down and he's breathing easier."

Danielle commented, "His color is coming back."

Cherys sighed happily.

"He's going to be alright." I felt a new hand on my arm, stroking me lovingly. When it was gone, I heard Cherys ask, "So when did you get back in town?"

“Late last night," Amber replied.

"I could barely wait until a decent hour to come here this morning." Danielle's voice came softly and yet had a strong undercurrent of protectiveness in it.

“And what are your intentions towards my little brother?"

I heard Cherys inhale sharply and Amber hesitated before answering. But after a while, she said simply, "I want him back. I know it's terribly selfish of me, but I want him back. I transferred to the University here. I want to be with him."

Danielle's voice came back confused.

“But you only had one year of school left at Stanford

"Yeah," Amber sighed.

“But I want to be with him." Cherys sighed, "That may be complicated. A lot has changed since you left." “I can see that. You, for one thing. When are you due?"

“Early August."

“Did you two go to a sperm bank or...?"

“You didn't know?" Cherys asked in confusion.

“We... we haven't really kept in touch. And E-Beth won't talk to me about anything having to do with David. It's complicated."

“David's the father," Cherys said plainly.

Amber gasped. It was right about then that I started to blink. But the girls were occupied enough that they didn't notice.

“I see," Amber's voice fell, realizing the extent of my relationship with Cherys.

“Well, I guess I'll be going then," she said dejectedly as I heard her gathering her things. From the tone in her voice, Amber sounded practically suicidal.

“No, it's not like that," Cherys interrupted.

“Well, not anymore."

By now I turned my head just in time to see Cherys slide her hand into Danielle's and stare at her lovingly.

“The baby is mine and Danielle's. David was just... well, he's special."